NHS consultations on baby units starts

Two primary care trusts (East Sussex Downs and Weald, and Hastings and Rother) are inviting people's views and comments on proposed changes to obstetric, specialist baby care and inpatient gynaecology services.

Nick Yeo, chief executive of both primary care trusts, said: 'We want to make sure these services continue to be safe, of high quality and sustainable into the future, and that mothers-to-be have a choice of midwife-led care and specialist consultant-led care in East Sussex.

'Changes to doctors' training and working hours and to national guidance mean we have to make changes.'

Under the options, women would be supported to give birth without medical intervention through midwife-led care and there would be one, 24-hours a day, seven days a week obstetric unit at Eastbourne District General Hospital or the Conquest Hospital, Hastings, for women and babies who need it.

The Boards of the two primary care trusts have expressed a preference for options 3 or 4 where there is a midwife-led unit at the hospital without the specialist unit in addition to the Crowborough Birthing Centre.

As specialist baby and inpatient gynaecology care are linked to obstetric services, it is also proposed a special baby care unit and inpatient gynaecology services are provided on the same site as the obstetric unit.

Antenatal and postnatal care would continue to be provided locally, and under all the options the full range of assessment, outpatient, investigative and day services would remain at both hospitals, including emergency pregnancy services.

The Boards have emphasised their commitment to sustaining two viable hospitals in East Sussex, including accident and emergency services and emergency care at Eastbourne District General Hospital and the Conquest Hospital, Hastings.

The documents and other information will also be on www.southeastcoastfff.nhs.uk, or available on request by emailing [email protected] or using the freepost address Fit for the Future, Freepost SEA 2474 BN8 2ZZ.